WO2022048934A1

WO2022048934A1 - Tethered closure

Info

Publication number: WO2022048934A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/073267
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Smith; James Dimond
Original assignee: Creanova Universal Closures Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-09-03
Filing date: 2021-08-23
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

Tethered closure (1) for closing of a pouring opening of a neck finish of a container comprising a lid (2) with a top deck (3) and a skirt (3) extending therefrom away in an axial direction z and comprising on the inside an inner thread (5) suitable to be engaged with a corresponding outer thread of the neck finish. The tethered closure further comprises an annular base (7) arranged adjacent to a lower end (8) of the skirt (3) interconnected to the skirt (3) by a hinge arrangement (9). The hinge arrangement (9) comprising a tethering means (10) and a hinge (11), wherein the tethering means (10) is interconnected to the annular base (7) and by the hinge (11) to the lid (2). The tethering means (10) during operation of the closure being extendable in the axial direction z between a retracted lower position and an extended upper position.

Description

TETHERED CLOSURE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to the field of tethered closures for closing of a pouring opening of a neck finish of a container. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Tethered closures for closing of a pouring opening of a container are known from the prior art. They usually comprise a lid and an annular base being interlocked with the of a neck finish of the container. The base is typically interconnected to the lid by tethering means, such that when the lid is removed from the pouring opening the tethering means keep it attached to the base. This way the pouring opening of a container can be closed and opened, while keeping the lid interconnected to the annular base and thus the container. In order to provide a good interconnection of the lid to the annular base the tethering means have to designed in tear resistant and robust manner, while at the same time providing a closure which is easy to operate i.e. opening and closing.

Several attempts are known from the prior art, briefly described hereinafter, which addressed the problems described above. One example of such a closure is the US2008197135 published in 2008 in the name of Bosch Pouch Systems AG, disclosing a beverage spout and threaded cap which are joined by a retaining band that further acts as a guarantee strip to establish the integrity of the contents prior to opening. The retaining band as it is wrapped around the pour spout is connected by a series of fragile elements, such that when the cap is unscrewed from the container the elements are ruptured to unfurl the retaining band.

Another example is the US8720716BB, published in 2014 in the name of Phillip John Campbell, which discloses a screw cap having an integral tether section of the closure skirt attached to a tamper evident band at frangible sections. In the open position, the tether section has a free length providing for a plurality of resiliently docked closure positions retaining the closure on the container.

WO201 9207152A1 published in October 2019 in the name of Obrist Closures Switzerland relates to a tethering device for a container closure. The device being attached or attachable to a first region of a closure including a removable cap and also being attached or attachable to a second region of the closure whereby, when the cap is removed from the container, it remains tethered thereto by the device.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a preferred variation the disclosure is directed to a tethered closure for closing of a pouring opening of a neck finish of a container. The tethered closure comprises a lid with a top deck and a skirt extending therefrom away in an axial direction. The lid comprises on the inside an inner thread suitable to be engaged with a corresponding outer thread of the neck finish. An annular base is arranged adjacent to a lower end of the skirt and interconnected to the skirt by a hinge arrangement. The skirt is essentially cylindrical and the lower end of the skirt is in the axial direction arranged opposite of the top deck. The hinge arrangement generally comprises a tethering means and a hinge, wherein the tethering means is interconnected to the annular base and by the hinge to the lid. During operation of the closure the tethering means are extendable in the axial direction between a retracted lower position and an extended upper position.

Good results can be achieved when the tethering means is extendable between the retracted lower position and the extended upper position by overcoming a dead center arranged between the retracted position and the extended position. The extended upper position is thus a self-stable position of the tethering means. When moving the tethering means from the retracted lower position to the extended upper position a displacement of the lid in the axial direction away from the pouring opening of the container is supported. The upper and lower position usually refer to positions along the axial direction, wherein in the upper extended position of the tethering means the lid is displaced away from the pouring opening compared to the lower retracted position. A compact and robust contraction is possible when the tethering means comprises a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm arranged opposite to each other with respect to an intermediate plate, which during operation is displaceable in the axial direction. Usually the first and the second pivot arm are at their distal ends interconnected to the annular base and at their dorsal ends interconnected to the intermediate plate. Distal and dorsal herein usually refer to the tethering means as such, in that the tethering means connect with their external ends to the annular base and with their internal ends to the intermediate plate. In some variations the intermediate plate can be incorporated into the dorsal ends if the first and second pivot arm.

Preferably the first and/or the second pivot arm are elastically deformable. This can support extending the first and/or second pivot arm between the lower retracted position and the upper extended position. To further support a pivoting movement, the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm are preferably interconnected at the respective ends to the annular base and/or the intermediate plate by at least one deformable joint. This allows a localized deformation at said at least one joint. More preferably the at least one joint is a thinning supporting the pivoting movement during operation between the retracted lower position and the extended upper position.

During operation the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm in combination exert a compressing force on the intermediate plate when moving the intermediate plate from the retracted lower position to the extended upper position or vice versa. This results in the bistability of the tethering means with a dead center at the halfway position between the stable lower retracted position and the stable upper extended position. This preferably results in a snap-through behavior from the halfway position to the retracted lower position or the extended upper position. Good performance is possible when the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. The first and/or the second pivot arm may comprise when seen in a radial direction an essentially straight middle section arranged between the joints at the respective ends. The essentially straight middle section can pivot during operation around the deformable joint of the respective end with the annular base.

For an easy operation of the tethered closure the lid when positioned in the extended upper position is rotatable about the hinge from a closed position to an open position. The hinge typically comprises a hinge axis which can be arranged perpendicular to the axial direction. Preferably the hinge axis is arranged in a secant manner with respect to the annular end of the skirt. This allows a space saving design of the tethered closure as the hinge can be arranged within an outer contour of the closure and not protrude therefrom.

Since the closure is to be robustly interconnected to the neck finish of the container the annular base preferably comprises a fastening means in form of an inwardly foldable retaining band to fasten the annular base to the neck finish, wherein the fastening means is attached to a lower end of the annular base. In some variations the annular base has a folded or foldable structure. The annular base may further comprises a temper evident band interconnected to the fastening means by at least one thinning for folding up the retaining band when the Tethered closure is applied to the neck finish, such that in a sectional view the annular base is essentially V- shaped.

In order provide a tamper evident closure the temper evident band is favorably interconnected to the annular end of the skirt by at least one fragile bridge. Usually multiple fragile bridges interconnected the outer temper evident band to the annular end of the skirt predetermined to break in case the annular base and the lid are separated in the axial direction.

Preferably the annular base and the tethering means in the retracted position form a wave-like structure. The at least one joint is herein arranged at a crest in the axial direction of the annular base and the tethering means expands from the joint in a direction away from the lid and following a circumferential direction of the annular base. This allows a compact hinge arrangement while providing a sufficient extend- ibility in the axial direction, allowing the distal ends of the pivot arms to be advantageously spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction by a maximum of 90 degrees, in particular, by a maximum of 60 degrees, in more particular, by a maximum of 45 degrees. This is a compact arrangement compared to tethering means known from prior art, which are often arranged around the neck finish and spanning in a circumferential direction 180 degrees or more. The annular base, the first pivot arm, the second pivot arm and the intermediate plate may enclose a gap, which widens in the axial direction when the first pivot arm, the second pivot arm and the intermediate plate move from the retracted position to the extended position.

Depending on the field of application a first locking element is arranged at the intermediate plate and a corresponding second locking element is arranged at the skirt, wherein the first locking element and the second locking element interlock in the open position of the lid holding the lid in the open position. This way the lid may be temporarily attached in the open position to the annular base by rotating the lid about the hinge decreasing a distance between the skirt and the intermediate plate. This provids additional comfort during the operation of the tethered closure.

The herein described tethered closure is usually manufactured from liquefied plastic material in an injection molding process.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the disclosure described in the appended claims. The draw- ings are showing:

Fig. 1 a first variation of a tethered closure according to the disclosure in a side view;

Fig. 2 a detailed view of the variation of Fig. 1 indicated by letter A;

Fig. 3 a sectional view along the axial direction of the first variation of a teth- ered closure according to the disclosure;

Fig. 4 a detailed view of Fig. 3 indicated by letter B; and

Fig. 5 a perspective view of the first variation of a tethered closure according to the disclosure;

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Figure 1 shows a first variation of a tethered closure according to the disclosure in a side view and Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the variation of Figurel indicated by letter A. Figure 3 illustrates in a sectional view the first variation of a tethered closure along the axial direction and Figure 4 shows a detailed view of Figure 3 indicated by letter B. In Figure 5 a perspective view of the first variation of a tethered closure can be seen

Figure 1 shows a first variation of a tethered closure 1 according to the disclosure, which comprises a lid 2 with a top deck 3 and a skirt 4 extending therefrom away in an axial direction z. The lid 2 comprises on the inside an inner thread 5 suitable to be engaged with a corresponding outer thread of the neck finish (not shown). An annular base 7 comprising a tamper evident band 23 is arranged adjacent to a lower end 8 of the skirt 4 and is interconnected to the skirt 4 by a hinge arrangement 9. The skirt 4 is essentially cylindrical and the lower end 8 of the skirt 4 is in the axial direction z arranged opposite of the top deck 3.

The hinge arrangement 9 as best visible in Figure 2 comprises a tethering means 10 and a hinge 1 1 , wherein the tethering means 10 is interconnected to the annular base 7 and by the hinge 1 1 to the lower end 8 of the skirt. The tethering means 10 during operation of the closure are extendable in the axial direction z between a retracted lower position and an extended upper position. However, the first variation as illustrated in Figure 1 to 5 is shown only in the retracted lower position of the tethering means 10. The tethering means 10 of the shown first variation comprises a first pivot arm 1 2 and a second pivot arm 1 3 arranged symmetrically and opposite to each other with respect to an intermediate plate 14, which during operation is displaceable in the axial direction z.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the first and the second pivot arm 1 2, 1 3 are at their distal ends 1 5 interconnected to the annular base 7 and at their dorsal ends 1 6 to the intermediate plate 14. The first pivot arm 1 2 and the second pivot arm 1 3 are interconnected at the respective ends 1 5, 16 to the annular base 7 and the intermediate plate 14 by deformable joints 17.

In the extended upper position (not shown) the lid 3 is rotatable about the hinge 1 1 from a closed position to an open position about a hinge axis 19 which is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction z.

In Figure 3 it can be seen that the first variation further comprises as the annular base 7 a foldable retaining band 21 to fasten the annular base 7 to the neck finish and a by at least one thinning 24 thereto interconnected tamper evident band 23. When the tethered closure 1 is applied to the neck finish, the retaining band 21 is folded inwardly and in a sectional view the annular base 7 is then essentially V- shaped (not shown). It is further shown that between an upper end 25 of the taper evident band 23 and the lower end 8 of the skirt 4 fragile bridges 26 are arranged. Figure 2 and 4 show the symmetric tethering means 10 in the retracted position forming a wave-like structure, in that the joint 1 7 with the annular base 7 is respectively arranged at a crest 29 in the axial direction z of the annular base 7 and the pivot arms 1 2, 13 expand respectively from the joint 1 7 in a downward direction

5 away from the lid 3 and following a circumferential direction of the annular base 7. The annular base 7, the intermediate plate 14 and the pivot arms 1 2, 1 3 enclose a gap 30, which widens in the axial direction z when the first pivot arm 1 2 and the second pivot arm 13 move the intermediate plate 14 move the retracted lower position to the extended upper position. 0 The shown hinge arrangement 9 as visible in Figure 5 is spanning about 45 degrees in a circumferential direction between the dorsal ends 16 of the pivot arm 1 2, 1 3.

In Figure 1 a first locking element 27 can be seen, which is arranged at the intermediate plate 14. A second locking element 28 is arranged at the skirt 4 and the first locking element 27 and the second locking element 28 interlock in the open 5 position of the lid 3 in order to hold the lid 3 in the open position. This way the lid 3 may be temporarily attached in the open position to the intermediate plate 14 in the retracted lower position providing additional comfort during the operation of the tethered closure 1 . The first interlocking element 27 is formed as a protrusion having a latching bead arranged thereon. Accordingly, the second interlocking el¬0 ement 28 is formed as tapered recess for receiving and holding the first interlocking element 27. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

1 Tethered closure 18 Thinning (pivot arms)

2 Lid 1 9 Hinge axis

3 Top deck 20 21 Retaining band (fastening

5 4 Skirt means)

5 Inner thread (lid) 22 Lower end (annular base)

7 Annular base 23 Tamper evident band (annular

8 Lower end (skirt) base)

9 Hinge arrangement 25 24 Thinning (annular base) 10 Tethering means 25 Upper end (taper evident band /

1 1 Hinge annular base)

1 2 First pivot arm 26 Fragile bridge

13 Second pivot arm 27 First locking element (intermedi-

14 Intermediate plate 30 ate plate) 5 1 5 Distal end (pivot arms) 28 Second locking element (skirt)

16 Dorsal end (pivot arms) 29 Crest

17 Joint 30 Gap

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Tethered closure ( 1 ) for closing of a pouring opening of a neck finish of a container comprising a. a lid (2) with a top deck (3) and a skirt (3) extending therefrom away in an axial direction (z) and comprising on the inside an inner thread

(5) suitable to be engaged with a corresponding outer thread of the neck finish; b. an annular base (7) arranged adjacent to a lower end (8) of the skirt (3) interconnected to the skirt (3) by a hinge arrangement (9); c. said hinge arrangement (9) comprising a tethering means ( 10) and a hinge ( 1 1 ), wherein the tethering means ( 10) is interconnected to the annular base (7) and by the hinge ( 1 1 ) to the lid (2); d. the tethering means ( 10) during operation of the closure being extendable in the axial direction (z) between a retracted lower position and an extended upper position.

2. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tethering means ( 10) is extendable between the retracted lower position and the extended upper position by overcoming a dead center arranged between the retracted lower position and the extended upper position. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the tethering means ( 10) comprises a first pivot arm ( 1 2) and a second pivot arm ( 1 3) arranged opposite to each other with respect to an intermediate plate ( 14), which during operation is displaceable in the axial direc- tion (z), wherein the first and the second pivot arm ( 1 2, 1 3) are at their distal ends ( 1 5) interconnected to the annular base (7) and at their dorsal ends ( 16) interconnected to the intermediate plate ( 14). The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the first and/or the second pivot arm ( 1 2, 13) are elastically deformable. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first pivot arm ( 1 2) and the second pivot arm ( 1 3) are interconnected at the respective ends ( 1 5, 16) to the annular base (7) and/or the intermediate plate ( 14) by at least one deformable joint ( 1 7). The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one joint ( 17) is a thinning ( 18) supporting the pivoting movement during operation between the retracted lower position and the extended upper position. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the first pivot arm ( 1 2) and the second pivot arm ( 1 3) are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. 16 . The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the hinge ( 1 1 ) comprises a hinge axis ( 1 9) which is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction (z). . The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the hinge axis is ar- ranged in a secant manner with respect to the lower end (8) of the skirt (3). . The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the annular base (7) comprises a fastening means (20) in form of an inwardly foldable retaining band (21 ) to fasten the annular base (7) to the neck finish, wherein the fastening means (20) is attached to a lower end (22) of the annular base (7). 1 . The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the annular base (7) has a folded or foldable structure and comprises a temper evident band (23) interconnected to the fastening means (20) at the lower end (22) of the taper evident band (23) by at least one thinning (24) for folding up the retain- ing band (21 ) when the Tethered closure ( 1 ) is applied to the neck finish, such that in a sectional view the annular base (7) is essentially V-shaped. 2. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims 3 to 1 1 , wherein first pivot arm ( 1 2) and the second pivot arm ( 13) in combination exert a compressing force on the intermediate plate ( 14) when moving 17 the intermediate plate ( 14) from the retracted lower position to the extended upper position or vice versa. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the lid (2) when positioned in the extended upper position is rotata- ble about the hinge ( 1 1 ) from a closed to an open position. The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the annular base (7) and the tethering means ( 10) in the retracted position forms a wave-like structure when seen laterally from outside, in that the joint ( 1 7) is arranged at a crest (29) in the axial direction of the annular base (7) and the tethering means expands from the joint ( 1 7) in a direction away from the lid (2) and following a circumferential direction of the annular base (7). The tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the distal ends of the pivot arms ( 1 5) are spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction by a maximal of 90 degrees, in particular, by maximal 60 degrees, in more particular, by maximal 45 degrees. The Tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the upper end (25) of the temper evident band (23) is interconnected to the lower end (8) of the skirt (3) by at least one fragile bridge (26). The Tethered closure ( 1 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein a first locking element ( 27) is arranged at the intermediate plate ( 14) and a second locking element (28) is arranged at the skirt (3), wherein the first locking element (27) and the second locking element (28) interlock in the open position of the lid (2) holding the lid (2) in the open position.